CROMWELL SPRING RACES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1232, 9 October 1885, Page 3

CROMWELL SPRING RACES.

Although appearances were altogether against the Jockey Club on Thursday and throughout that evening, Friday broke with an unclouded sky and gave promise of ex•cellent weather for the day’s proceedings. 'The air was a trifle chilly from the heavy ■snow deposits during Thursday on the surrounding mountains, but otherwise there was robing to complain of. During the afternoon a cold squall struck over the •course, but it soon passed off. Considering the very unfavourable conditions that marked Thursday as one of the most unpleasant of the season, the attendance was remruka’ily good, although it is known that many from a distance were debarred from ■coming to the meeting. By the time the -oponing ove,nt came off the enclosure around the stami was well filled, and throughout the afternoon (hose present appeared to enjoy themselves thoroughly. Tuere was nothing whatever to mar the success of the meeting. For each item on the card there ■were fair entries, aud the races were contested on the merits of the performers in •every case. The first one was the Hurdle Race, and the determined struggle for the prize between Garibaldi, Haricot, and Warrior, each jumping beautifully, put the public in excellent hnmor. Gari.’s condition did him good service in the straight and won him the stake. Eight faced the starter ter the Maiden, which fell to Mr Bivers’ Tarragon, who was brought to the post in fine nick—as indeed may he said of •all the horses in the Alexandra stable. The -excellent training by Mr Fivers was also shown in the Cromwsll Handicap, in which the Don carried top weight to the front in gallant style. The Trot brought out no Jess than 16 candidates, of whom the favorite was Mr Joss’s Dolly, a mare with grand going capacity, but singularly unfortunate throughout this season in having to play second fiddle to an “ outsider.” On this -occasion she found her Nemesis in a roan -cob by the name of Jack, but proved under protest to be a well-known performer on previous occasions as Tiger. Having trotted undei his new name twice before at Oaraaru the protest was not sustained. Jack’s 60 secs, start made the money a gift to him, but payment of the stake is withheld pending further enquiry into the nomination. From the small dividend (L2 12a) it is pretty clear that Jack’s trotting powers had got wind, no doubt much to the disap pointment of those who expected to make a “ pot” upon him. The Spring Handicap was limited to three, a like number having declined to accept. Lika the Trot, the result was a surprise. The well-bred Amulet displayed great form once he was -set toing, and went all the way like a racer, landing the stake with a bit in hand. This ■event gave the best dividend of the day— L 4 16s. The Hack Selling was cleverly won by the veteran Haricot, Tarrogan being the only one that troubled him. Mr A. M'Kay added yet another to his many hospital trophies Darkness had set in ere the last race was run, and the assemblage was by this time pretty well thinned. The arrangements were well carried out in every department, each of Stewards seeing to his special duty wi hj care and promptitude. Mr Turton was very successful in his new position as starter for the ■Club, acting with the necessary coolness and tact. As Judge, Mr Maekellar had no great difficulties to contend with, the finishes in no instance being so close as to give rise for decision likely to he called in question by disappointed backers. The other officers also did their work satisfac torily. The catering was in the hands of Mr McK-nna, of the Golden Age, and he appeared to find full employment for his a‘aff of att ndants. Messrs Solomon and Murrell put through their totalisator during the afternoon the sum of LlflO!, and did their work in the usual commendable way. For those who tke delight in small speculation there was ample provision in a variety of ways, and the owners of the concerns s-emedto be putting together a fair day’s wages. It only remains to be said that the crowd was orderly and well behaved, and no disturbance interfered with the general harmony. Financially, we understand the Club will come well out of the meeting and add an appreciable sum to the reserve fund. The results of the racing will be found below.

Handicap Hurdle Race, of 20 sovs. Die* tance, one mile and a-half. over six flights of Hnrdles, 3ft Sin high. Mr Mervyn’s b g Garibaldi, list 41b (Carter) 1 Mr T. McKay’s blk g Warrior, 9st ... (A. McKay) 2 Mr T. Gilmonr’s gg Haricot, 10st 41b (Richardson) 3 Mr J. Flynn’s bg Cymero, 9st (Smith) 0 With a short ran to the first hurdle, the four took the sticks freely, Cymero taking the lead. At the second jump Smith failed

to keep the leader to his work and he swerved round the timber, and before he was got at it again the others held a lead that made his ohanoe hopeless. Meantime the three others faced the timbers in fine style, jumping cleanly and almost abreast, Haricot showing the way. Opposite the Hospital Warrior was sent along, Qaribaldi was at his heels, with the grey whipping in. In the straight Garibaldi pulled himself together and challenged Warrior, whom be gradually wore down, winning by about three lengths. Time, 3.15. On Totalisetor, 104; dividend, L2. Maiden Plate, of IS govs. Open to all horses that have never won over 10 sovs. Weight for age. Distance, one mile. Mr J. Rivers' bg Tarrogao, 8 lllhs ... (Rivers) 1 Mr 1. Wright's b g Paddy, aged. 9st 61b (Robertson) 2 Mr 3. Jopp's g f Gnat, 3 yrs (Cotter) 3 A field of eight started for this event, the others besides those placed being Mayflower, Plunger, Falcon, Mystery, and Mount Iron. The lot were sent off very evenly, and kept together for at least half a mile, when Tarrogan was given his head, and soon went to the front, where he kept to the finish. Turning into the straight Faddy and the Gnat came forward, but could not get on terms with the leader, who won with some ease. Paddy—who started favorite, was second, the Gnat a good third, fhe Plunger took fourth place, the others in open order. Time, 1. 63. On totalisator, 193 ; dividend, L2lßs.

Cromwku, Handicap, of 25 sots. Distance, one and a«half mile.

Mr J. Rivers’ b g Don Jose, aged, 9st 101b (Mason) 1 Mr Mervyn’s blk g Black boy, aged Bst 21b (Brown) 2 Mr Mervyn’s bhj Epicure, 5 yrs, Sat .. jj (Robertson) 3 Mr T. McKsy’s b g Johnny, aged fist 101b 0 Resartus was scratched. Mr Mervyn declared to win with Epicure. The Don was in pink condition, and Blackboy looked fit enough, although a trifle fine. Epicure carried too much flesh to stay the distance, and Johnny was not pleasing to the eye. With an even start, Epicure took np the running for three quarters of a mile, when be fell back. From this out Don Jose and Blackboy had the race between them, and ran pretty evenly until half down the straight, when the Don came sway and caught the judge’s eye some three lengths ahead of the black gelding. Time, 2.47£. On totalisator, 192 ; dividend, LI 10s. Handicap Timk Trotting Racb, of 20 flovs. Distance, three miles. No weight under 10 stone. Mr Partridge’s Jack, 60 sees (A McKay) 1 Mr Joss’ bm Dolly, scratch (Dungee) 2 Mr Cameron’s b m Nelly, 40 secs (Owner) 3 Out of 19 nominated, 16 came to the post, Dolly being the moat fancied, Princes also having many admirers. Jack, who had a start of 60 secs, was not long in showing he was a flyer, as he maintained his handicap right through, and at two miles it was evident he could not be touched. The scratch mare came astonishingly fast the last mile, passing the entire field except Jack, who almost had his handicap in hand when he passed the post. On totalisator, 168 ; dividend, L2 12. Spring Handicap, of 29 sovs. Distance, one mile. Mr W. Scoles’ oh Amulet, 7st s!b (M'Kay) 1 Mr J, Rivers’ b g Resartus, 7st 71b

(Rivers) 2 Mr Mervyn’s blk g Blackboy, Bst 31b (Robertson) 3

Magician was scratched, and Don Jose and Epicure di 1 not accept. Amulet gave some little trouble at the starting post, and when the flag was lowered be lagged behind two or three..lengths. At half-amile, however, he was on terms with the downcountry horses, and quickly his white nose showed in front. The chestnut was full of running, and it was speod'ly seen that he ha t a big say in the race. Coming into ths straight Amulet maintained a good lead, which be kept to tbe finish, landing the stake without being distressed. The win was a popular one, and Mr Scoles came in for much congratulation. On. totalisator, 171 ; dividend, L 4 16s. The time was not taken, but it was fast. Hack Seixino Race, of 15 aovs. No weight under 10 stone. Half mile heats, without dismounting. Winner to be sold for Lls ; surplus, if any, to go to tbe Race fund. Mr Gilmonr’s Haricot (Richardson) 2 11 Mr Rivers’ b g Taragon 12 2 In this event nine competitors went to the post, hut Haricot and Taragon proved the best of the bunch, each heat being a regular ding dong between the two. The grey, however, maintained his ancient prestige, winning the second and third heats cleverly. On the respective heats the dividends paid were—L3 ss, 18s (none on the winner), and Li 11s. Haricot was bought in by his owner for L 25, thus adding to the Club funds LlO.

The Hospital Race, which was run in the dark, was won bv Tristan. The sum of L 8 14s was collected from the public by Messrs Gudgeon and Cogan.